New York Creek Trail Running

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Leah Fielding

About

Summary

This 8.4-mile out and back route crosses multiple creeks including Lincoln Creek, New York Creek and Brooklyn Creek Gulch and can be tricky during high spring runoffs, but expansive high-alpine meadows and stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks make it well worth the effort. Experienced high-country trail runners will appreciate the 2,160-foot elevation gain, while the less experienced may find the trail a bit strenuous.

Destination Distance From Downtown

Difficulty

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Intro

This 8.4-mile out and back route crosses multiple creeks including Lincoln Creek, New York Creek and Brooklyn Creek Gulch and can be tricky during high spring runoffs, but expansive high-alpine meadows and stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks make it well worth the effort. Experienced high-country trail runners will appreciate the 2,160-foot elevation gain, while the less experienced may find the trail a bit strenuous.

What Makes It Great

This trail sees low traffic and offers gorgeous mountain views, making it a great option for the trail runner looking escape the crowds that are sometimes pervasive on trails closer to downtown Aspen.

Runners will ascend moderately and then more steeply along an old jeep road for one mile before merging with an old aqueduct road. Follow that for .5 miles. In about .25 miles the trail will cross the Brooklyn Gulch Creek Diversion. Stay on the aqueduct road. An “S” curve will follow before the New York Creek Diversion can be seen. Before the diversion, the New York Creek Trail enters a marked trail on the left.

New York Creek Trail parallels New York Creek for about .75 miles, climbing through spruce forests before crossing the creek. The trail opens up into a beautiful alpine meadow and then ascends for another mile or so to an above treeline meadow. The next mile is very steep and extreme caution is required to avoid damaging the fragile alpine tundra.

The views of the Collegiate Peaks are stunning and the ascent to the head of New York Creek features 2,160 feet of gain within 4.2 miles.

Who is Going to Love It

Experienced high-country trail runners will best enjoy New York Creek Trail, as it's considered to be a strenuous affair due to the route's continual ascent to high elevations.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

The trailhead is situated about three miles up Lincoln Creek Road, which is accessible from Highway 82. A vehicle with high clearance and 4WD is recommended. The New York Creek trailhead is on the right.